Author of 'Moneypenny Diaries' interviewed

zencat · October 2005

Check it out, gang. I interviewed Samantha Weinberg (aka Kate Westbrook), the author of The Moneypenny Diaries.

This is a very well done novel and a worthy James Bond adventure (yes, Bond is a major character throughout).

Sorry for spamming AJB with yet another CBN link, but I think this is one to read if you're at all curious about this book:

http://commanderbond.net/index.php?action=Story&SID=2983

asio · October 2005

Qudos to you on the interview, Zencat.
Do you know when this novel is going to be released in Australia?
I would like to pick up a copy.

zencat · October 2005

Thanks asio.

Looks like it's already out in Australia in a pareback version (most likey an international trade edition):
http://www.dymocks.com.au/ContentDynamic/Full_Details.asp?ISBN=0719567416

asio · October 2005

Qudos again, Zencat!
I will go to Dymocks and see if I can buy it today.

i expect u2 die · October 2005

I certainly like the author's responses, they seem very wise (especially when telling us how she came to call Moneypenny 'Jane').

However, the idea of Bond and Moneypenny 'joining forces' in the cuban missile crisis sound a little gimicky. Zencat, is this a respectably Bondian book, rather than the 'chick-flick' the cover seems to promote?

zencat · October 2005

i expect u2 die wrote:

I certainly like the author's responses, they seem very wise (especially when telling us how she came to call Moneypenny 'Jane').

However, the idea of Bond and Moneypenny 'joining forces' in the cuban missile crisis sound a little gimicky. Zencat, is this a respectably Bondian book, rather than the 'chick-flick' the cover seems to promote?

I also was worried about this aspect, but when if gets to that point in the book, you're sold. I don't think the cover does this book justice because it really is a very respectable Bond continuation novel, just done in a different way. One thing I love is we finally get a "new" Bond adventure set in the 1960s. I've wanted that for some time.

zencat · September 2006

Cover art for Book 2: Secret Servant

Willie Garvin · September 2006

zencat wrote:

Cover art for Book 2: Secret Servant

Wow...if Joanna Lumley's pleased with this novel, then that makes it good enough for me.:)

Kidding aside,this book looks great--the jacket art is very much in the Chopping style.I know that Ms.Weinberg is an Ian Fleming fan who respects his novels and her books aren't designed to be radical departures from what he'd established.

When will The Moneypenny Diaries make their way to the United States?

And by all means Zencat, "spam away" whenever you please!Information like this is much too good not to share and we're all glad you did.;)

zencat · September 2006

Thanks, Willie. Never too sure if people want all this lit Bond news or not so I don't want to overdue it. Certainly all our attention is on Casino Royale at the moment. But my own fandom has always been equally divided between the lit Bond and movie Bond. I think movie news is well handled by you and others. But this lit news can slip past un-noticed, so...

Sir Miles · September 2006

zencat wrote:

Cover art for Book 2: Secret Servant

Thanks from me too, zencat.

I'm currently reading the first book - The Moneypenny Diaries, on the advice from other members of this site - which I'm really enjoying !

zencat · September 2006

My pleasure, Sir Miles. Enjoy the book.

leongpc · September 2006

the first book is great. and i'm now eagerly awaiting the second one. i personally like the cover designs too (plus the upcoming one). simple and yet gives you a sense of nostalgia feel. after this trilogy, they can go on to 'found - the secret diary of tracy (mrs bond)'. from the viewpoint of tracy, her messed up life, how she found bond or bond found her and gave her a new meaning to life etc etc. the last page of the book will be her last entry in her diary ie the eve of her wedding day. we all know the sad tragic ending.

zencat · September 2006

Not a bad idea there, leongpc.

Willie Garvin · September 2006

Admiral Sir Miles Messervey's adventures when he was a young man working behind enemy lines in the Great War might also make interesting reading.Who knows--maybe one of his colleagues was Richard Hannay, with the others being Hugh Drummond and John Clayton...

Johnny Danger · October 2006

Why aren't the "Moneypenny Diaries" available in the USA yet? I am very eager to read them!

Sir Miles · October 2006

zencat wrote:

My pleasure, Sir Miles. Enjoy the book.

I've just finished the first book - so I'm a slow reader, shoot me

)

What a great read. This book really shouldn't work, in fact half of me didn't want it to work, but it does. I'm looking forward to the second novel now and I hope there is more after that.

zencat · October 2006

Well, Sir Miles, if you liked the first book and are looking forward to the second, here's a little surprise treat for you in-between!

New Bond-Moneypenny Short Story in November Tatler

Sir Miles · October 2006

zencat wrote:

Well, Sir Miles, if you liked the first book and are looking forward to the second, here's a little surprise treat for you in-between!

New Bond-Moneypenny Short Story in November Tatler

Why thanks, zencat - and it's not even Christmas yet

)

jetsetwilly · October 2006

Well, I bought and read the story this afternoon (a word of warning; it contains a number of articles written by people with the surname Parker-Bowles) and so I thought I'd post my thoughts.

The plot:

1956: Bond and Moneypenny travel to Royale-Les-Eaux, and get Bond's usual suite. It appears that they are here on a romantic tryst, but in fact Bond is here to assasinate a double agent. He and Moneypenny simulate lovemaking after a dinner at the Hotel Splendide, and he slips out, leaving her behind to commit the murder with a tape recording of their antics.

My overall thought is that it's too brief; the whole thing is only three pages long and could happily have been expanded. The end feels rushed and is over with before we can really get any feeling of tension. My criticisms of it are the same as those I had of the novel; it's too keen to mention Bond's past escapades, and we have the question of why is Moneypenny, of all people, there? But as with the novel, it's nicely written, and character filled. And the double bluff is mischevious and welcome. Roll on Secret Servant!

emtiem · October 2006

It's all a bit Mills & Boon, isn't it? I keep reading bits of the book, extracts and this short story and I'm still not sure who they're trying to sell this to.

jetsetwilly · October 2006

emtiem wrote:

It's all a bit Mills & Boon, isn't it? I keep reading bits of the book, extracts and this short story and I'm still not sure who they're trying to sell this to.

I thought exactly the same thing (see http://www.ajb007.co.uk/index.php?topic=26368 for an overview of my thoughts on the matter) but when I actually read it, I was extremely impressed by it. I guess it depends on what you want from a Bond novel; it's certainly not been written for people who want a relentless rollercoaster of action and violence. The tone is far more introspective.

As an aside, I've just read the interview with Lucien Freud (one of my favourite artists) in the same magazine, and he mentions Anne Rothermere as an acquaintance. I take my Bond references wherever I can

diVicenzo · October 2006

Just out of curiosity, why is one of The Moneypenny Diaries called 'Guardian Angel' and another called 'Intended For Her Eyes Only'??:)

Author of 'Moneypenny Diaries' interviewed

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